Anthony Watson to miss England’s Test against Georgia
Anthony Watson has been ruled out of England’s Autumn Nations Cup opener against Georgia because of an ankle injury.
Watson started the 34-5 victory over Italy that clinched the Six Nations title a week ago but the British & Irish Lions utility back has been left out of a 36-man training squad to undergo treatment with his club Bath.
George Ford is still troubled by an Achilles issue but he will continue his rehabilitation at England’s Teddington training base.
Uncapped Wasps prospect Jacob Umaga is present as fly-half cover for Owen Farrell in Ford’s absence, although Eddie Jones also sees Henry Slade and George Furbank as options in the position.
England have been boosted by the return of Elliot Daly and Joe Marler, who missed the win in Rome because of respective shin and knee injuries.
Daly’s fitness puts pressure on Furbank at full-back while Marler will challenge Mako Vunipola at loosehead prop. Billy Vunipola will join up with the squad on Sunday after the birth of his son earlier this week.
Newly-appointed skills coach, Jason Ryles, has joined up with the team after finishing the season and winning the NRL Grand Final with Melbourne Storm, where he was assistant coach.
England squad
Forwards: Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Tom Dunn (Bath), Ben Earl (Bristol Bears), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Beno Obano (Bath), David Ribbans (Northampton Saints), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears), Will Stuart (Baths), Sam Underhill (Bath), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Willis (Wasps)
Backs: Joe Cokanasiga (Bath), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors), Max Malins (Bristol Bears), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester), Jacob Umaga (Wasps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
